Mumbai: LALIGA, as part of its agreement with Globe Soccer, organises the “LALIGA AWARDS, The Pride of our Fútbol,” which consists of five monthly awards recognising the best goal, best player, best coach, best play and best U23 player, while recognition will also be given to the Team of the Season and the top player in terms of their social contribution.

To decide these prizes, the opinions of an expert committee are combined with the views from fans, who can vote for each month’s winners on the website titled: Feel the power of our Fútbol | LALIGA.

Girona FC’s Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk named Best Player.

High-flying Girona FC continue to be the surprise package of the LALIGA EA SPORTS season, sitting level on points with leaders Real Madrid after 19 matches and racking up three wins and a draw from four matches throughout December. One man who has played a fundamental role in this continued streak is Artem Dovbyk, whose four goals in those four games – including one in his side’s historic and unprecedented 4-2 win away at local rivals and reigning champions FC Barcelona – have led him to be named Best Player for December.

So impressive have Girona FC’s performances been this past month that Dovbyk’s teammate Yan Couto takes home the Best U23 Player award. The Brazilian has been almost ever-present for the Catalans this season, and this month contributed three assists including one for club stalwart and all-time leading scorer Cristhian Stuani in his side’s dramatic 2-1 win over Valencia CF at Montilivi.

Elsewhere, Athletic Club’s continued form sees Ernesto Valverde recognized as Best Coach. Los Leones sit in fifth place, just three points off a Champions League spot, with Valverde, now in his third spell in charge at San Mamés, masterminding three wins from four matches across December, including a convincing 2-0 win over title-challengers Atlético de Madrid. Athletic Club stars Nico Williams and Iñigo Lekue also take home the Best Play of the month award for their link-up play in that very same match, a move which began on the right flank and ended with a sensational strike from Nico into Jan Oblak’s top right corner from the most unlikely of angles.

Finally, the Best Goal award goes to Real Betis wide man Aitor Ruibal – who has played mostly as a right-back this season – for his remarkable long-range strike against LALIGA EA SPORTS leaders Real Madrid. The goal secured a point for Los Verdiblancos and kept Manuel Pellegrini’s men well and truly in the hunt for a European spot.